You are here

Three New Michigan Laws Crack Down on Dog Fighting

Last week, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed three new laws that send a clear message to dog fighters: Bloodsports are not welcome in the Great Lakes State.

Animal fighting is a felony in Michigan, punishable by up to four years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines, and so is watching an animal fight. But these new laws crack down even further. Here’s how:

•SB 356 allows local authorities to seize homes and automobiles associated with animal fighting.•SB 358 adds animal fighting, shooting and baiting to the list of racketeering crimes.•HB 5789 gives law enforcement the ability to shut down any venue found to be associated with animal fighting and declare it a nuisance.

Dog fighting is widespread in parts of the state, and experts have identified regions of the state as national hotbeds for animal fighting. That’s why we’re so glad Michigan decided to arm its officials with these new legal tools.

“We thank Governor Snyder for signing these critical measures to improve upon the existing law, making Michigan one of the toughest states on animal fighting,” says Vicki Deisner, ASPCA State Director of Government Relations for the Midwest.

Way to go, Michiganders! We’re one step closer to ridding the U.S. of dog fighting for good. Ready to help? Visit the Advocacy Center.

GUARDIAN ANGELS LOOKING OVER OUR FURRY LOVED FRIENDS/PETS!! THANK GOD GOV SNYDER FINALLY TOOK ACTION TO ENFORCE LAWS TO THESE INHUMANE SO-CALLED PEOPLE WHO THINK IT'S COOL TO MUTILATE DEFENSELESS DOGS FOR THEIR SICK ENJOYMENT....I THINK THESE PEOPLE SHOULD GET THE SAME TREATMENT DONE TO THEM AS THEY DO TO THESE PRECIOUS PUPS-KEEP IT UP, MAKE LAWS EVEN TOUGHER!

Congrats to us Michigan residents about the new dog fighting laws! I still am disgusted that in Barry County, Mi. the deputy advisor the county sheriff put into position at the county shelter can have 11 bags of dead animals removed from her home and it is not a felony charge. After all, one bag contained a litter of puppies!!! Our sheriff was booted out as he did not seem to care to give the animals a fair chance of adoption and he put in his place a woman whose home was a horror to these animals. How did they die? We cant know as the prosecutors office had the animal remains destroyed during the time it was stated that they were at MSU for answers to their cause of death!!! ...and this is not a felony? Come on people lets not use Michigan as a example when animals are allowed to rot, this disgusts me. Animal fighting is not right, animal abuse is no different!!!

Thankyou Gov.Snyder for helping to protect these precious animals.Are there also this strict of laws for animal cruelty in general, and are there large fines for it? We need them.All of the cats,dogs,birds,horses etc... need our voices to speak out for them also! Iam proud to be living in a role model state.lets keep fighting forward on all of these kind of subjects.YEAH MICHIGANDERS!

Way to go Michigan! I am so glad to hear that states are taking dog fighting seriously! It is a huge crime that should never happen, but of course there are sicko's out there that do it and the the only ones that suffer are the dogs. I am a huge Bully Breed fan and I own Pitbull's. I absolutley love my Pittie and she is a fantastic dog. I hope that you take these beautiful animals and rehab them and give them loving forever homes. My Pit is living proof that they can be rehabed she was a animal cruelty case and was nothing but skin and bones and nearly dead. They used her for what they wanted and then tried to kill her, but they didn't succeed and we ended up with her. She has been completely rehabed and is the most loving animal that you could ever fine...a little well maybe alot protective of us and her home, but she is loving to us and the family. That is just a little bit of Bella's story. Thank You again Michigan for stepping it up and taking care of business....Sincerely Kirsten

I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you book marked to check out new stuff you post<a title="concrete cleaner" href="http://www.tipsonaccounting.com/">concrete cleaner</a>

It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd without a doubt donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!